So, it looks like I’m probably in the market for a new build. I want to go mid-range, not super-budget or god-box. I went to my two most trusted sources — here and Ars Technica, and looked at the mid-level recommendations.
Intel build, BTW.
Alan here recommends the Asus P5K-E P35.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131196
Ars recommends the Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3L.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128345&Tpk=Gigabyte%20GA-EP45-DS3L
(FYI, Alan’s article is from April, and this is the September build guide from Ars, so that might be the main driver for the differences)
Differences:
–Asus supports 2 x PCI-E x16 (blue @ x16 mode, black @ x4 or x1 mode), while Gigabyte supports 1 X PCI-E 2.0 X 16 (I’m not a gamer so I don’t need dual video card goodness. )
— onboard audio — I’m using S/PDIF out which both have, so does it matter that the Gigabyte has Realtek ALC888 and the Asus has ADI AD1988B?
— North bridge — Gigabyte has Intel P45, Asus has Intel P35. What the heck does that mean? Is the P45 newer? Is it more or less power efficient?
— South bridge — Gigabyte has Intel ICH10, Asus has Intel ICH9R. See previous question.
Here’s the thing: it seems like the Gigabyte is a newer mobo, fulfills my needs, and is $50 cheaper on newegg than the Asus.
I guess the bottom line is, can anyone give me a good reason to get the Asus that I have not considered?
Thanks!
–Rafi
(stay tuned for riveting discussions of intriguing topics such as video cards and power supplies!)
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